We’ve been following you on YouTube for years and you’ve been a real inspiration to us. We’re now in year one of our own nomadic life and loving seeing where the road can lead. Thank you!
The two of you are so inspiring! I'm always amazed at people who let go of the "should" and follow the dream. I also love how you are staying committed to your health and your relationship. We discovered that our "retirement" has included coffee every morning where we just check in with each other. Now, when that can't happen, the day just feels off. Excited to follow your journey and see what the next seven years bring! Come visit Portugal!
We have the exact same coffee ritual every morning! So helpful for feeling centred and ready for the day no matter where we are in the world. I'll be spending a couple nights in Portugal next spring when I do the Camino Portuguese!
I retired at 70 from a long law career. Raised two kids. Married 52 years. Am almost 74 but lots to look forward to. Still, retirement sucks. Lots of volunteer work.
It’s too easy to get into a rut. And stay there. Any ideas?
Agree that the days can slip by too easily without a plan. We spend a lot of time brainstorming big new projects to pursue and then mapping out our next steps. We love hiking so a lot of our projects have to do with planning and prepping for big hikes.
I spent a few years in Singapore working, and it also led to early retirement. Moved to a small town back home (Australia) and prioritise slow travel. Still love Asia and absolutely loved SQ (ice cream uncles and Hawker food) but it was a catalyst for a slower more intentional life.
Sounds like a great journey! One of the things we really appreciated about living in Singapore was meeting so many people from all over the world who were chasing their dreams. It was really inspirational.
Ha! Just discovered your writings through substack today randomly as i was just reading things that piqued my interest the algorithm finally dropped your writings in my lap… early retired myself in 2017 and moved to Europe with my partner and kiddo in 2022 (he retired right before we moved)… never have regretted walking away for a second and 9 years in happy to be living in Europe and finding structured ways to pass my time and create growth opportunities though im staying away from calling anything goals. Just trying to grow and try new things (currently taking B1 Portuguese and Bouldering 1x a week - learning how to that is)… is one of those pics in the article from Lisbon by the way (on the calçada stairs with the dog)?
So great the you found us! We always enjoy connecting with other early retiree/expats. It sounds like Europe was the right move for you. And, yes, the photo is from the month we lived in the Aflama neighbourhood of Lisbon - well spotted!
Ya... those are kinda quintessential Lisbon-esque stairs. My guess was Santos or maybe Lapa... though really they exist all over. I prefer not to call myself an expat for a lot of reasons - my family and I are immigrants. No offense intended, to be clear - folx from the UK and US (we are from the US) who use the term - it feels like it's dripping with classism/separatism and that's just not us. p.s. ALSO love your active vacationing lifestyles. Did a much longer vacation than normal and I got some clarity that I want to do hiking/trekking/biking on a vacation mostly and maybe at the end have a few days of R&R. I'm happiest seeing things at a biking and hiking pace and going where my feet and wheels take me - It just feels so fun AND it forces me to maintain certain levels of fitness to be able to accomplish this, you know?
We are absolutely committed to the concept of the active vacation. We really enjoy having a physical challenge to achieve…and then enjoying some well earned down time and a little indulgence!
This is so inspiring! Hard work for sure, but a reminder of what's possible if you take a chance. Also, I dream of hiking Tour du Mont Blanc, definitely looking forward to hearing about it!
I appreciated your honesty about reaching a saturation point with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Wonder can become harder to feel when every week asks you to absorb another new place. Your shift toward a home base and more intentional trips sounds like you’ve found the rhythm that allows you to keep enjoying both travel and home.
We knew we were maxed out when we couldn't find the motivation to go into any more museums and churches! It was time to take a step back and reflect on all that we had seen and done.
Nice to see you here! First discovered the two of you on YouTube a few years ago. I had wondered where your story led. Great to hear all is well and you’re still happily retired and traveling.
Reading this left me equal parts fascinated and exhausted. 🤭
Living out of a backpack is certainly not for me, but seeing the world through your eyes is a real pleasure. Intriguing. Thank you for letting us travel along with you from afar.
Seems like you're in a beautiful season of life. It's unfortunate if we are ever told that there's one perfect way to do it for everyone. I think we all have different desires and needs in a given moment and those change too.
We’ve been following you on YouTube for years and you’ve been a real inspiration to us. We’re now in year one of our own nomadic life and loving seeing where the road can lead. Thank you!
Wonderful to hear and congrats on launching your own freedom journey! Wishing you a very full and interesting chapter.
The two of you are so inspiring! I'm always amazed at people who let go of the "should" and follow the dream. I also love how you are staying committed to your health and your relationship. We discovered that our "retirement" has included coffee every morning where we just check in with each other. Now, when that can't happen, the day just feels off. Excited to follow your journey and see what the next seven years bring! Come visit Portugal!
We have the exact same coffee ritual every morning! So helpful for feeling centred and ready for the day no matter where we are in the world. I'll be spending a couple nights in Portugal next spring when I do the Camino Portuguese!
Stop through Coimbra!! Let’s connect!
I retired at 70 from a long law career. Raised two kids. Married 52 years. Am almost 74 but lots to look forward to. Still, retirement sucks. Lots of volunteer work.
It’s too easy to get into a rut. And stay there. Any ideas?
Agree that the days can slip by too easily without a plan. We spend a lot of time brainstorming big new projects to pursue and then mapping out our next steps. We love hiking so a lot of our projects have to do with planning and prepping for big hikes.
I just wish my husband would brainstorm with me.
Your journey over the last fifteen years is such an inspirational story, thanks for continuing to share.
Our pleasure! It's been a really helpful exercise to reflect on the past number of years.
I spent a few years in Singapore working, and it also led to early retirement. Moved to a small town back home (Australia) and prioritise slow travel. Still love Asia and absolutely loved SQ (ice cream uncles and Hawker food) but it was a catalyst for a slower more intentional life.
Sounds like a great journey! One of the things we really appreciated about living in Singapore was meeting so many people from all over the world who were chasing their dreams. It was really inspirational.
We followed you all for years and are finally doing it ourselves. US and Canada first. Europe and SE Asia next year. Slow is good!
Congrats on exploring the world and doing it slowly! We really love spending two or three months in a country and really getting to know it.
Ha! Just discovered your writings through substack today randomly as i was just reading things that piqued my interest the algorithm finally dropped your writings in my lap… early retired myself in 2017 and moved to Europe with my partner and kiddo in 2022 (he retired right before we moved)… never have regretted walking away for a second and 9 years in happy to be living in Europe and finding structured ways to pass my time and create growth opportunities though im staying away from calling anything goals. Just trying to grow and try new things (currently taking B1 Portuguese and Bouldering 1x a week - learning how to that is)… is one of those pics in the article from Lisbon by the way (on the calçada stairs with the dog)?
So great the you found us! We always enjoy connecting with other early retiree/expats. It sounds like Europe was the right move for you. And, yes, the photo is from the month we lived in the Aflama neighbourhood of Lisbon - well spotted!
Ya... those are kinda quintessential Lisbon-esque stairs. My guess was Santos or maybe Lapa... though really they exist all over. I prefer not to call myself an expat for a lot of reasons - my family and I are immigrants. No offense intended, to be clear - folx from the UK and US (we are from the US) who use the term - it feels like it's dripping with classism/separatism and that's just not us. p.s. ALSO love your active vacationing lifestyles. Did a much longer vacation than normal and I got some clarity that I want to do hiking/trekking/biking on a vacation mostly and maybe at the end have a few days of R&R. I'm happiest seeing things at a biking and hiking pace and going where my feet and wheels take me - It just feels so fun AND it forces me to maintain certain levels of fitness to be able to accomplish this, you know?
We are absolutely committed to the concept of the active vacation. We really enjoy having a physical challenge to achieve…and then enjoying some well earned down time and a little indulgence!
I like this reminder that freedom is not just getting away from work. You still have to build a life that feels meaningful once you get there.
That's exactly right! And it's a lot more work than most people expect.
This is so inspiring! Hard work for sure, but a reminder of what's possible if you take a chance. Also, I dream of hiking Tour du Mont Blanc, definitely looking forward to hearing about it!
TMB recap coming soon! Glad to hear you enjoyed the post.
I appreciated your honesty about reaching a saturation point with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Wonder can become harder to feel when every week asks you to absorb another new place. Your shift toward a home base and more intentional trips sounds like you’ve found the rhythm that allows you to keep enjoying both travel and home.
We knew we were maxed out when we couldn't find the motivation to go into any more museums and churches! It was time to take a step back and reflect on all that we had seen and done.
When even the museums and churches stop tempting you, that’s a pretty clear sign 😂 I love that you gave yourselves time to take it all in.
We’re only on Year 2, reading this makes me hope that our Year 7 turns out as awesome as yours! Congrats!
Savour the moment of being at just two years! You've got so much excitement still ahead of you.
Nice to see you here! First discovered the two of you on YouTube a few years ago. I had wondered where your story led. Great to hear all is well and you’re still happily retired and traveling.
Thanks for remembering us and nice to connect with you here!
You don’t miss work a bit, love it!
The best part of this lifestyle is never having to go into an office ever again! 😂
Reading this left me equal parts fascinated and exhausted. 🤭
Living out of a backpack is certainly not for me, but seeing the world through your eyes is a real pleasure. Intriguing. Thank you for letting us travel along with you from afar.
Glad you enjoyed the post! To be honest, I also feel exhausted thinking about our past full-time travel. 😂 We're happy to have a home once again.
Seems like you're in a beautiful season of life. It's unfortunate if we are ever told that there's one perfect way to do it for everyone. I think we all have different desires and needs in a given moment and those change too.
it's been an interesting journey so far and I'm hoping for more of the same in the future! Thanks for sharing. 😊
I’m always excited to see a new post from you! Thanks for sharing these thoughts on your journey the past 7 years. 💗
It was a pleasure - thanks so much for reading!😊